Orioles' Jordan Westburg Discusses Injury Struggles

The young third baseman opens up about his recent setbacks and doubts.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Jordan Westburg, the Orioles' promising young third baseman, has faced a series of injury struggles that have left him feeling exasperated and even despairing at times. Westburg recently tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, adding to a growing list of setbacks he has endured in his young career.

Why it matters

Westburg was seen as a key part of the Orioles' rebuilding efforts, and his injuries have derailed his progress and raised questions about his long-term durability. The team and fans are eager to see him return to full strength and contribute to the team's future success.

The details

Westburg's latest injury occurred when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, an injury that often requires surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. This setback comes on top of other injuries Westburg has dealt with, including a shoulder issue that sidelined him for a significant portion of the 2025 season.

  • Westburg tore his ulnar collateral ligament in February 2026.

The players

Jordan Westburg

A promising young third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles who has struggled with a series of injuries in his early career.

Baltimore Orioles

A Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland that is in the midst of a rebuilding process and was counting on Westburg to be a key part of their future.

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What they’re saying

“There are doubts, there are questions, there are all those things that come with an injury like this.”

— Jordan Westburg (Baltimore Sun)

What’s next

Westburg will need to undergo surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process to recover from the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.

The takeaway

Westburg's injury struggles highlight the challenges young players can face in establishing themselves at the Major League level, and the Orioles will need to carefully manage his recovery and development to ensure he can reach his full potential and contribute to the team's future success.